Clayton Carpenter
Concrete
USA
Not competitive in Rio loss
Carpenter lost to Jafel Filho via submission (kimura) at 4:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
The fact Carpenter couldn't last a round in a fight that went off as essentially a pick 'em isn't a great sign. Clayton found himself in top position, only to have Filho isolate an arm and immediately flip him over. Carpenter tapped out, but referee Osiris Maia either didn't see it or didn't recognize it. Clayton tapped again seconds later, so travesty was avoided. The 29-year-old Arizona native and MMA Lab product won his first two UFC fights via submission, but has lost two since. Carpenter will probably be fighting for his job his next time out.
The fact Carpenter couldn't last a round in a fight that went off as essentially a pick 'em isn't a great sign. Clayton found himself in top position, only to have Filho isolate an arm and immediately flip him over. Carpenter tapped out, but referee Osiris Maia either didn't see it or didn't recognize it. Clayton tapped again seconds later, so travesty was avoided. The 29-year-old Arizona native and MMA Lab product won his first two UFC fights via submission, but has lost two since. Carpenter will probably be fighting for his job his next time out.
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Facing Filho in Rio
Carpenter will take on Jafel Filho at UFCRio on October 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Carpenter will aim to rebound after losing for the first time in his professional career by decision in January. The 5-foot-6 fighter looks to return to the form that saw him win eight straight fights prior to the loss.
Carpenter will aim to rebound after losing for the first time in his professional career by decision in January. The 5-foot-6 fighter looks to return to the form that saw him win eight straight fights prior to the loss.
Drops UFC 311 opener
Carpenter lost to Tagir Ulanbekov via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a +285 underdog, Carpenter was able to hang tough in what was a competitive 15-minute bout. Both men landed 42 significant strikes, but Carpenter allowed Ulanbekov to connect on three takedowns on six attempts, good for 6:49 worth of control time. It ended up being the difference in the bout. Still just 28 years of age and getting elite training every single day with the crew at the MMA Lab in Arizona, Carpenter still projects as a solid flyweight prospect three fights (2-1) into his UFC run.
Entering as a +285 underdog, Carpenter was able to hang tough in what was a competitive 15-minute bout. Both men landed 42 significant strikes, but Carpenter allowed Ulanbekov to connect on three takedowns on six attempts, good for 6:49 worth of control time. It ended up being the difference in the bout. Still just 28 years of age and getting elite training every single day with the crew at the MMA Lab in Arizona, Carpenter still projects as a solid flyweight prospect three fights (2-1) into his UFC run.
Set to fight Ulanbekov
Carpenter will fight Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After cruising through his first two UFC bouts against Juancamilo Ronderos and Lucas Rocha, the undefeated Carpenter will now be tested against Ulanbekov, who boasts an impressive 4-1 UFC record but hasn't entered the Octagon since 2023.
After cruising through his first two UFC bouts against Juancamilo Ronderos and Lucas Rocha, the undefeated Carpenter will now be tested against Ulanbekov, who boasts an impressive 4-1 UFC record but hasn't entered the Octagon since 2023.
Dominates in return from layoff
Carpenter defeated Lucas Rocha via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:12 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
On the sidelines since February 2023, Carpenter finally made his long-awaited return here and looked terrific. Recognizing his massive edge over Rocha in the grappling department, Clayton secured a pair of easy takedowns -- the second of which led to the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Carpenter gets elite training with the crew at the MMA Lab in his native Arizona every single day and appears to have a boatload of potential at 125 pounds. He just needs to fight a bit more often if he plans on moving up the flyweight rankings.
On the sidelines since February 2023, Carpenter finally made his long-awaited return here and looked terrific. Recognizing his massive edge over Rocha in the grappling department, Clayton secured a pair of easy takedowns -- the second of which led to the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Carpenter gets elite training with the crew at the MMA Lab in his native Arizona every single day and appears to have a boatload of potential at 125 pounds. He just needs to fight a bit more often if he plans on moving up the flyweight rankings.
Set to face Lucas Rocha
Carpenter will face Lucas Rocha in a flyweight bout at a UFC event on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Carpenter has gone 7-0-0 in his career and will step on the octagon for the first time since Feb. 2023, when he defeated Juancamilo Ronderos. It's worth noting three of Carpenter's last four wins have come via knockouts in the first round.
Carpenter has gone 7-0-0 in his career and will step on the octagon for the first time since Feb. 2023, when he defeated Juancamilo Ronderos. It's worth noting three of Carpenter's last four wins have come via knockouts in the first round.